What happened
On March 7, 2017, a Cessna A1-88B, registration PT-WFV, was performing a transit flight between two farms in the municipality of Vila Propício, Goiás. The aircraft, operated by Centroar Agro-Aereo Ltda., was being moved to a new location to prepare for upcoming agricultural spraying operations.
During the flight, the pilot attempted to fly at an altitude lower than usual to inspect the progress of electrical infrastructure work in the area. While maneuvering near transmission towers, the aircraft struck newly installed, unenergized power lines. The impact caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, leading to a subsequent collision with the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the pilot sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation established that the transmission lines had been installed only one day prior to the accident. While the pilot had previously observed the support towers during earlier flights, the wires themselves were not yet present. The investigation noted that the single fiber optic cable installed on the towers was light-colored, which likely hindered the pilot's ability to perceive the obstacle against the background.
Investigators found that the pilot was highly experienced, with 4,000 total flight hours, including 1,400 hours in the Cessna A188B. The pilot held valid medical and aeronautical certifications. However, the investigation revealed a lack of formal communication regarding the recent infrastructure changes. There was no official notification from the operator or the service contractor regarding the newly installed wires, and the pilot relied on informal information sharing common in the local agricultural aviation community.
Findings
- Inadequate flight planning and a lack of updated information regarding obstacles in the flight path.
- Improper piloting judgment regarding the decision to fly at a low altitude specifically to inspect the towers.
- Failure to observe standard operating procedures related to low-altitude flight safety.
- Reduced obstacle visibility due to the light color of the newly installed fiber optic cable.
- Inadequate decision-making processes during the approach to the infrastructure site.